Linda McGraw

We've got an 8-hour layover in May and need some advice on prioritizing sites and recommendations for restaurants. Thanks!

Linda

We took the airport train to the city and enjoyed walking around and shopping. We ate lunch in a non-descript restaurant and enjoyed revisiting a city we had not seen in 20 years. ( We only had four hours). Visit the about.com site for Zurich and you may find some itineraries or posts for how to spend a layover.

Ursula

Linda: I suggest you take a short trip on the lake (from the Buerkliplatz), shortest are about 1h30, visit the Chagall windows at the Fraumuenster Church and stroll around in the old town (off Bahnhofstrasse). Start at Paradeplatz-Storchengasse-Muensterhof-Strehlgasse-Rennweg-back to the train station or take the city round trip with the red trolley (2 hours) with different stops, also at the lakeside.
Info at the Tourist Board, main hall of the train station. More info at:
www.zurichtourism.ch
If you are interested in fine arts, there is a William Turner exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum until May, not sure about the exact date.
You will find a lot of restaurants. If the weather is nice, just choose one with a terrace and enjoy the sun (hopefully) and people watching. Difficult to make suggestions, if you don't specify budget/taste. But Zurich is known for very good restaurants.
Two local institutions with typical food:
Zeughauskeller, Paradeplatz
Kropf, Storchengasse
Enjoy!

Ursula

Just wanted to add this:
The William Turner exhibition is on until May 26, 2002. For opening hours, etc. check:
http://www.kunsthaus.ch/aktuell/aktuell.html

Ada

Could you tell me how far is the airport to downtown area? How easy is it to travel back and forth in such short time (8 hours)?
Your help is much appreciated!